Wonder

Look among the nations and see! Wonder and be astounded! For a work is being done in your days that you would not believe if you were told. (Hab.1:5)

How about you? How is your “wonder” vision and what is your vision quotient? Most of us are more inclined to see snow that needs to be plowed than wonder/marvel at the reality of each unique snowflake. We shudder at the cold and snow storm and forget to give thanks that it reveals the footprints of deer at the bird feeder in the night. We dig in deep to the humdrum and often miss the miraculous.

I suggest that wonder is as common to our lives as breathing in and breathing out. However, like our breathing, we’re often unaware of wonder’s presence. I’ll give you some examples. I’m presently reading a book, Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult. I’m immersed in wonder as I’m discovering facts I didn’t know. I’ve learned that the leg muscles of a locust are a thousand times more powerful than the same weight of human muscle. I’ve learned that underneath the white fur of a polar bear their skin is black. I learned that a giraffe, whose spots are as individual as our fingerprints and snowflakes, has four stomachs.

On Monday, January 21st, we celebrated Martin Luther King Jr.’s Day and the wonder as well as the tragic quality of his life. It was a day to recall King’s life and words. King said wonderous and inspiring words like, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” And, “Love is the most durable power in the world.” King’s words cause us to catch our breath with wonder at their eloquence, insightfulness and truth, but years later, we’ve returned to simply breathing in and out, having lost some of the power and strength in them.

Nevertheless, the wonders continue. God continues God’s astounding work, hoping to stop us in our tracks, change our direction, and feed us in a new way. Just a week ago we were treated to a blood red moon. As I thought about the different words we use to describe the wonder of the God head, I thought about our Father, the Creator, who is always creating something new which to marvel and enjoy. I thought about Jesus, the Deliverer, whose mission is to deliver abundant forms of new life, and I thought about The Holy Spirit, the Sanctifier, who makes things holy. Might we become more aware of each breath, each moment, each feeling, each gift of love, and be astounded at all we have been given. You won’t believe all there is which you are offered that is wonderful and present for you to behold.